Footwear

Author
Discussion

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,627 posts

168 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Is there a definitive answer to what footwear is illegal to drive in .
Like thousands of truckers I drove in crocs or clogs all over Europe and the UK for many years.
Now people are telling me that if the police see you in certain footwear they will be able to issue tickets.

Muzzer79

10,222 posts

189 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Who is saying this and what certain footwear are they referring to?

Mr Miata

980 posts

52 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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Are Crocs wearers getting stopped by the Fashion Police?

willisit

2,142 posts

233 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
There's plenty of "advice" but no rule beyond:

Rule 97: "clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner"

texaxile

3,306 posts

152 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
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According to google:

"There are no specific laws concerning footwear whilst driving. However, Rule 97 of the Highway Code does state that the clothing and footwear you choose to wear whilst driving should not prevent you from using the controls properly."

I think plod take a dim view of people driving in flip flops due to them perhaps getting stuck or folded under the pedal, but in truth I've honestly no idea.

Driving in croc's should get you 2 years for poor taste. wink

In summer I'll very occasionally drive barefoot, then slip my "Nike Bethlehems" on when I get out.

sixor8

6,335 posts

270 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
There was the usual clickbait rubbish about being prosecuted for driving in flip-flops when it was hot. However, if you had an accident and they found footwear wedged under the pedals or that it contributed to the accident, then maybe. Flip-flops do have a tendency to inhibit pedal action.

Personally, I've found it easier to drive in bare feet in the summer, and then put on whatever light footwear I have when I arrive. smile

QBee

21,090 posts

146 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
I did a track day once in my steel toe-capped work boots.

I had put them on to protect my feet while loading the car onto my trailer, and forgot to change afterwards.
It's at times like these that you realise how close together the pedals are..... banghead

QuattroDave

1,485 posts

130 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Reading between the lines, heels are fine as long as they 'go' with the rest of the outfit.

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,627 posts

168 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
QBee said:
I did a track day once in my steel toe-capped work boots.

I had put them on to protect my feet while loading the car onto my trailer, and forgot to change afterwards.
It's at times like these that you realise how close together the pedals are..... banghead
I was once given the job of being chief Marshall looking after the cars in Parc Ferme at the end of a European Rallycross meeting. One of the competitors asked if I could drive his car back to the paddock when the cars were released.
Imagine my disappointment when I couldn't get my para boot clad size 11s into the footwell of one of the quickest Metro 6R4s in the world. I reluctantly asked one of the other marshalls who had changed into his size 8 trainers to take it back .

vikingaero

10,535 posts

171 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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There are people who drive bare footed, in flip flops, sliders and high heels. And some people think they shouldn't do so.

austina35

348 posts

54 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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Purchase a pair of Gazelle. Preferably with the light blue stripes. You'll be able to drive to the moon and back.

48k

13,278 posts

150 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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grumpy52 said:
Imagine my disappointment when I couldn't get my para boot clad size 11s into the footwell of one of the quickest Metro 6R4s in the world.
Not just size 11 boots but PARA size 11 boots! OMGz!

grumpy52

Original Poster:

5,627 posts

168 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all

Not ideal , not very flexible.

donkmeister

8,355 posts

102 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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When someone rolls out their "did you know it's illegal to drive barefoot" BS I like to tell them it's also illegal to drive without driving gloves on.

So... Stringback or fully enclosed?!?!

donkmeister

8,355 posts

102 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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grumpy52 said:

Not ideal , not very flexible.
But your goth daughter can at least borrow them on Friday nights... Saves cash!

Tomo1971

1,134 posts

159 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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I believe that the issue will raise its head in the event of an incident where the driver has failed to control the vehicle and it can be reasonably shown that it was due to the clothing / footwear been worn at the time.

Ie, driver needed to brake hard but the flip flop, slipped off leaving them to brake hard with bare feet but was unable to, or the flip flop got stuck under the pedal etc.

As good a driver as we all think we are, accident free for decades - if some c0ckwomble decides to pull out on us and you need to brake hard and can't, despite the other driver been at fault, a court would see that if other drivers have time to avoid, a reasonably suited and booted driver would be able to do so.

TooLateForAName

4,767 posts

186 months

Friday 17th November 2023
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My mother was once rear ended by a young woman in stilettoes who was holding her car on the clutch at a level crossing. No damage to mums car, but the tow bar made quite a mess of the front of the mini.

Bill

53,076 posts

257 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
Tomo1971 said:
I believe that the issue will raise its head in the event of an incident where the driver has failed to control the vehicle and it can be reasonably shown that it was due to the clothing / footwear been worn at the time.

Ie, driver needed to brake hard but the flip flop, slipped off leaving them to brake hard with bare feet but was unable to, or the flip flop got stuck under the pedal etc.

As good a driver as we all think we are, accident free for decades - if some c0ckwomble decides to pull out on us and you need to brake hard and can't, despite the other driver been at fault, a court would see that if other drivers have time to avoid, a reasonably suited and booted driver would be able to do so.
Why can't you brake hard in bare feet?

Oceanrower

927 posts

114 months

Friday 17th November 2023
quotequote all
Bill said:
Tomo1971 said:
I believe that the issue will raise its head in the event of an incident where the driver has failed to control the vehicle and it can be reasonably shown that it was due to the clothing / footwear been worn at the time.

Ie, driver needed to brake hard but the flip flop, slipped off leaving them to brake hard with bare feet but was unable to, or the flip flop got stuck under the pedal etc.

As good a driver as we all think we are, accident free for decades - if some c0ckwomble decides to pull out on us and you need to brake hard and can't, despite the other driver been at fault, a court would see that if other drivers have time to avoid, a reasonably suited and booted driver would be able to do so.
Why can't you brake hard in bare feet?
You can. But Tomo1971 once read that you couldn’t drive like that and still thinks so to this day…

ferret50

1,054 posts

11 months

Sunday 19th November 2023
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When I was working as a lorry driver my employer provided steel toe cap boots to wear whilst working, and they were checked when loading a trailer in a steelworks.

However, whilst loading at frieght forwarder type places it was usual to see the Poles and Froggie drivers wearing clogs or even flip flops.

I guess that if you have a two/three day trip to a much warmer climate, this will dictate your footwear to some extent.